History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 35

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942

USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1 > Part 35

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I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy Catholic church ; the communion of saints ; the forgiveness of sins ; the resur- rection of the body ; and the life ever- lasting. Amen.

Scripture Lesson : Precepts. Response : (By the Choir.) I

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we be- seech Thee. Amen.

OR THIS II.

The law of the Lord is perfect, convert- ing the soul ;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, mak- ing wise the simple. Amen.

OR THIS III.

Let the words of my mouth and the med- itation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight,

O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer. Amen.

OR THIS IV.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place ?

THE RECORD.

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ;

Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Amen. Prayer of Confession.

Scripture Sentences of Forgiveness and Promise.

Gloria in Excelsis : (Congregation standing and joining.)

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we wor- ship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.

O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty !

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy ; Thou only art the Lord ;

Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Scripture Lesson ; Gospel.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and supplication ; (Concluding with the Lord's Prayer, in which all are invited to unite aud- ibly.)

Hymn : (Congregation standing and join- ing.)

Sermon. Response : (By the Choir.)

Hymn: (Congregation standing and join- ing.)

Prayer of intercession.

Benediction : (Congregation seated and bowing in silent prayer.)

CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1883. The Lord's Day Services.

Morning Service, at 10:30 A. M. Evening Service, at 7.30 P. M. School of the Church, at 3 P. M.

Young People's Prayer Service, at 6:45 P. M.

OFFERINGS.

For Foreign Missions, Sunday morning, March 4th.

For Home Missions and Sustentation, Sunday Morning, April Ist.

MID-WEEK SERVICE OF PRAYER.

Thursday Evenings, at 7:30.

Feb. 8 .- The Unity and Trinity of God- I Cor. viii .: 4; Matthew xxviii., 19.

15 .- The Creation of the World-Gen. i .: 1 ; John i .: 3; Heb. xi .; 3.

22 .- Preservation and Providence-Ps. cxlv .: 15, 16; M. v .: 26; R. viii .: 28.

Mar. 1 .- The Creation of Man-Gen. ii .: 7 ; James iii .: 9.

8 .- The Genesis of Sin -Rom. v .: 12.

" 15 .- The Nature and Extent of Sin-I John iii .: 4 ; Rom. iii .: 4 ; Matt. xv .: 19 ; Jamesiv .: 17 ; I John i .: 8 ; Matt. xii .: 31.

" 22 .- The Punishment of Sin-Rom. i .: 8; Jno. iii .: 36; Luke xii .: 47, 48 ; Mark ix .: 44.

SPECIAL SERVICES.

Baptism of Infants .- Sunday Morning Service, March 4th.

Children's Missionary Society Quarterly Meeting, Sunday, Mar. 25th.

Preparatory Lecture .- Friday, at 4 o'clock P. M., March 30th.

The Lord's Supper .- Sunday Morning Service, April Ist.

OTHER MEETINGS.

Teacher's Meeting, at close of Mid-Week Service, Thursdays.

Sewing Circle, Wednesdays, at 3 P. M.

Annual Parish Meeting, Tuesday, 3 1-2 P. M., March 13th.

The Pastor will be found at his residence, on Franklin Place, Tuesdays; and on Fri- days, from 5 to 6 P. M., in the Study of the Chapel.

It must not be forgotten that the spell- ing of names and of other words is retained in the RECORD as they appear in the origi- nal registry. All other peculiarities, as far as possible, are also retained.

This is done so as to exhibit to the read- ers of the paper the original records of the church as they actually exist.

Our ancestors, if they did not spell cor- rectly, generally did what was better, acted right. Let us imitate their virtues if we do not follow their orthography.

THE RECORD.

THE NEW YORK GAZETTE AND AMERI. CAN ADVERTISER

Is a venerable looking affair. A bound volume of a portion of its issues, although in a moderately good state of preservation, in some respects, presents, as it lies before us, a weather stained appearance, and is a di- lapidated representative of the Public Press of the last century. The initial number of the first volume was published January 4, 1776, and was " printed for Samuel Loudon, 10 Water Street, between the Coffee House and the Old Slip." It appeared weekly. In the centre, at the top of the first page, is the picture of a packet-ship, with all sails set, as if either ready to sail, or actually on the Ocean. The Declaration of Independence had not yet been proclaimed, and an exami- nation of any editorial utterances do not give evidence as to the course the editor had determined to pursue in the conflict, which had been precipitated upon the coun- try in the preceeding year, by the gun fired at Lexington. Of course Mr. Loudon could not anticipate the magnitude which that conflict afterwards assumed. The publisher of a newspaper in those days and for many years afterwards, never assumed the posi- tion of an editor ; he was simply the printer, and in looking over the pages of the Gazette it is noticeable that all communications are addressed " Mr. Printer."

In his address to the public, the publish- er, among other things, says : " He will be extremely happy to have it in his power to convey, thro' the channel of this paper, to- gether with useful intelligence, foreign and domestic, any considerations, that may il- lustrate and animate the glorious cause of constitutional liberty and at the same time pour medicine into the bleeding wounds of the Extended Empire. For this purpose he most earnestly invites the Friends of Amer- ica and the British Constitution, to favor him with their kind assistance. Much has been said on the important controversy, that now engages the attention of all Europe ; but the subject is not yet exhausted ; there is sufficient scope for new discussion."

ral Assembly of New York, which had be- fore been prorogued to the first of Febru- ary then next. This proclamation is attest- ed " in the sixteenth year of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith and so forth." At its close appears the usual formula, " GOD SAVE THE KING."

In the same number is to be found an ad- vertisement, offering for sale "a valuable NEGRO MAN, by trade a blacksmith, about 25 or 26 years old. He will be sold on mod- erate terms."

Although the editor does not openly ex- press his views on the all absorbing ques- tion of the day, it is quite easy to determine in what direction his real sentiments tend. He must have been a Whig, for his leanings are very decidedly manifested in many ways towards the cause of the colonies. But it was a time when prudence seemed to be the better course for men, situated as he was, to follow, so, at first, he ventured no decided expression of opinion. There were a large number of Tories in the city, although the Whigs were very largely in the majority. Tryon was still in command for the King as Governor, but he was soon obliged to leave the city and take refuge on board of an English ship in the harbor. It was about this time that Isaac Sears, who had before removed to New Haven, came to the city with a hundred men or more, inoved at the head of his troops, in perfect order, down Broadway to the foot of Wall street, where was the printing office of Rivington's Gazetteer, which had so excited the wrath of Morris county Whigs. Sears sacked the office, captured the type and carried it off to be cast into bullets. Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor, of Virginia, had just before that confiscated a Whig newspaper in Norfolk. Sears with a grim humor quite characteristic of the man, gave Rivington an order on the Virginia Gover- nor for a new supply of type. The draft was never honored. The true name of this Tory paper was " Rivington's New York Gazetteer, or the Connecticut, Hudson's River, New Jersey and Quebec Weekly Ad- vertiser." It had been outspoken in its loyal utterances and had, really, laid itself

William Tryon was then Governor of New York, and in the first number of this paper;a proclamation from this loyal officer of the Crown appears, dissolving the Gene-I open to the attack made upon it, as it had

THE RECORD.

gone beyond the bounds of moderation and had been bold. violent and aggressive.

The New York Packet, whatever may have been its political sentiments, impar- tially reported the debates in Parliament and the proceedings of the Continental Con- gress.

Unfortunately the bound volume of the Packet to which access has been had, is im- perfect, ending with the issue of the first volume which appeared August 29, 1776. The rest of the volume is made up of that part of Vol. 7 which began with No. 321 and ended with No. 450, which last number was issued December 30, 1784. Numbers 321 to 332 inclusive were published at Fish- kill, but from No. 333 to No. 450 the issues are dated in New York from No. 5 Water street "between the Coffee House and the Old Slip." With No. 333 began a semi- weekly publication, the paper appearing on Mondays and Thursdays.

Some of the advertisements are curious, and exhibit a method of conducting affairs then, quite unknown to business men of the present day. Richard Edsall, the 3d, confin- ed in gaol, in Orange County, for debt, "take this method to notify his creditors that he intends to apply to the Legislature at their next meeting for an act to discharge him from his confinement." Comfort and Joshua Sands inform their friends that they have at their store in the house formerly occupied by Isaac Sears, Esquire, for sale on the lowest terms, among other goods, the following queer assortment : " Brimstone, Wool, Hats, Frying pans, Shovels and Spades, Bohea Tea."

Occasionally a notice is made of New Jer- sey and of some localities in the State. A sermon, preached by the Rev. John With- erspoon, the President of the College of New Jersey, is advertised for sale by this Printer ; a robbery at New Brunswick is noticed, and the capture of the thief is sta- ted with great satisfaction. In the issue of December 6th, 1784, a letter from Trenton, N. J., dated December 1, is published, which speaks of the meeting, at that town, of the Congress of the United States on the Mon- day preceeding. The delegates from this State were William Churchill Houston and John Beatty. At this meeting Richard Henry Lee was elected President. The next

number announces this, " his excellency P. I. Van Berckel, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United Netherlands, has arrived at Trenton." This gentleman built a house at Newark, afterwards occupied by the Penn- ington family, at least, so runs the tradition. It was a quaint frame building, with a large wide hall, capacious rooms, and with an ap- pearance differing materially from other buildings in Newark. It was situate on the west side of Broad street, just north of South Park Presbyterian Church. It has long since given place to a more modern built edifice with modern improvements.

There are many advertisements and mat- ters of interest in this venerable relic of the last century, to which reference may here- after be made.

The South street Presbyterian church have initiated a movement which will, un- doubtedly, commend itself to all teachers in the schools of the church. This move- ment really begins with the Sunday school and is undoubtedly due to the suggestion of its superintendent, Mr. J. F. Randolph. A series of five lectures, upon subjects, in which all Sunday schools are directly in- terested, has been begun. The first in the course was delivered Wednesday evening, February 7th, on Christian Biography, by the Rev. Kinsley Twining and was of course, admirable. The second on Church His- tory will be delivered March 7, and will be succeeded by the others, as follows : Chris- tian doctrine, by F. G. Burnham, Esq., April 4th ; Christian Duty, A. F. West, A. M., May 2d ; and Christian Devotion. by Rev. Albert Erdman, D.D., pastor of the church, June 6; the programme published calls them-" Conferences on Sunday Read- ing," and states that they are to be held in the Bible class room, at 8 P. M. The object is to afford information to teachers and oth- ers on these various subjects and espe- cially to instruct in a course of reading from which that information can be obtain- ed. The plan is an admirable one and wor- thy of imitation by all Sunday schools.

The promised sketch of the life of Dr. James Richards must be postponed until the next issue. Want of time prevents full jus- tice being done to the subject.

THE RECORD.

Sunday schools have assumed such pro- portions and struck their roots so deep into the soil of the church that they must now be considered permanent institutions. Their importance is an established fact. They deserve and should receive all the care which the church can possibly afford them. The title of "School of the Church" is an admirable one and should not merely in name, but in the whole spirit and mean- ing of the title, be applied to them. They should be schools of the Church in real ear- nest, subject to the supervision and under the control of the proper authorities of the several churches with which they are con- nected. This supervision, this control should not be merely nominal but subsist- ing and substantial.

The tendency in Americans, of all classes, toward the expenditure of great energy, sometimes at the utmost possible expense of mind and body, in any direction which, for the time, seizes upon the public, either by way of fashion or taste, is so marked and often so detrimental as to require repres- sion. Religion does not, perhaps unfortu- nately, suffer too often nor too much from the expression of this tendency. But it may, and great care is needed to preserve it and its adjuncts from this apparent ten- dency of the times. This tendency has ex- hibited itself, in a measure, in this matter of Sunday schools.

Much may be said in favor of conventions and something may be said against them. Ought not a fear to be indulged and a warning given that undue efforts in this di- rection may exhaust the energies of teach- ers and of the friends of Sunday schools in the multiplicity of conventions ?

This suggestion is made with some hesi- tation, but with the hope that it may be re- ceived in the same spirit in which it is given.

A proposition has been made to divide the State into districts and hold conven- tions in these districts, instead of having a great State convention as heretofore. A meeting of some of the pastors and super- intendents in town was held last Friday. evening to discuss this subject. This dis- trict plan may be excellent ; it is still un- tried. County conventions are exceedingly useful and perhaps all that are necessary

for the main object. They bring neighbors and friends together face to face at a place, some quiet country village or town, where great good may be accomplished by intro- ducing new thoughts. new methods of teaching, by waking up dormant faculties, by the attrition of mind with mind. What is needed in this undertaking, as in all oth- ers, when good is to be accomplished, is honest, sincere, persistent, loving ac- tion, here, in the school, among scholars, and if in conventions, among the teachers. A great State convention is unwieldy, burdensome upon teachers and their enter- tainers, expensive and really accomplishes nothing like what may be done at county conventions held at points where just such meetings are most desirable. A day spent at a small meeting such as would be gath- ered in the various counties, is worth the two or three days generally employed at the State conventions.

SOUTH ORANGE, Feb. 4th, 1883. Mr. Editor :

Last evening marked a new era in the history of the South Orange Presbyterian Church. Its beautiful new brown stone ed- ifice was dedicated to the service of Al- mighty God, with appropriate services. The exercises were conducted by the Rev. John Crowell, D. D. Several clergymen participated in the services. The prayer invocation was offered by the moderator of the meeting ; Scripture lessons were read by the Rev. J. A. Ferguson, and the Rev. Samuel Sargent; the dedicating prayer was made by the Rev. Alfred Yeomans, D. D., and the other prayer by the Rev. Joseph A. Ely. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Worcester, Jr., the retiring pastor, from the text " This is none other than the House of God." Delightful music, appropriate to the occasion, was rendered by the choir.

The new structure is beautiful and cheer- ful, has a commanding position and cost about $20,000. It lacks an element of suc- cess, however,-a settled pastor. With a true man of God, and the blessing of a descent of the Holy Spirit, the good people who gather to worship within its walls. may be assured of that success which must always attend those who have faith in Jesus. J. M. C. M.

THE RECORD.

PULPIT ECHOES. No. 2

Unfortunately we are all likely to over- look the moles on our own faces, unless a mirror from God's word is held before our eyes.

In some lights a cobweb looks like a cur- tain of steel wire, bright, flexible and airy, but stout and impenetrable. So many a one stays in the dark corner of doubt, refus- ing to come out into light and liberty, be- cause he fancies that he cannot break through the barrier which separates him from Christ ; when, in reality, that barrier is only the cobweb of his own wilful fancies.

The cause of religion suffers, but it will not perish, because of the doubting Tho- mases who stay away from meeting and the timid souls who, after touching the hem of our Lord's garment for blessing, mope in the secret tumult of hope and fear off on the edge of duty.

The church and cause of the Lord Jesus Christ goes on its knees to no man or wo- man for the purpose of begging the honor of his name or the weight of her influence.

Secret faith and all the good resolutions in the world, if brought out for airing only in the privacy of our innermost thoughts, will not have very much effect on our moral standing in the eyes of men or of God. So long as one's Sunday clothes are kept in a dark closet one does not mind how much mud there is in the streets.

It is no wonder that we have had to mourn over the coffins of many good reso- lutions. There was really no chance for the little things to live. How can we live up to our holiest aspirations, when we suf- focate them at their birth ?

Who is the meaner sort of hypocrite : the one who openly promises good and secretly laments his backslidings ; or the one who makes secret vows to God and publicly sits on the fence ?

clude there can be no more religion for him, because he can no longer trust himself.

There were some spectators at the Sa- viour's cross who were deeply touched with compassion and roused to heroism, by the meekness of the Lamb of God in the shame of his crucifixion and the agonies of his tor- ture. Two of them are particularly named, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They appear only in what may be called flashes of light. But these brief flashes make their position and character stand out in striking vividness. Both are rich men, prominent in the councils of the Jews, ear- nest seekers after truth, and yet, like 'their class everywhere, cautious, conservative, slow to commit themselves and hazard either social standing or property to the uncertanties of a new movement, although this movement wins the sympathy of their hearts and receives their secret aid.

At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus was sought by Nicodemus ; but at night, for fear of the Jews. Afterwards this rich ruler disappears from the page, envel- oped in so prolonged a shadow that we might think hini turned away sorrowful, unbeliev- ing and unyielding, except for his appear- ance after the crucifixion as a bold and true mourner of the now lifeless Master.

Joseph of Arimathea, we are told, was a disciple of Jesus ; but he, too, has given only secret adherence, for fear of the Jews. Not till he could no longer escape the avowal of his position, did he begin to show boldness in the cause of the Nazarene. It is said to his honor that he did not consent to the counsel and deed of the elders in sentencing Jesus to death. By that oppo- sition he gave unmistakable evidence of his favorable disposition towards the despised Messiah. And now, as he watches in sor- row before the cross, from which his tardy courage and confession could not save the Master, he is perhaps the first to observe the last flicker of life and the drooping sig- nal of death in the beloved form. At any rate, Joseph is the first to bring word to Pilate that "the king of the Jews" no lon- ger lives.

There is good reason to suspect the man who knows himself so little as to start in the Christian life with the assertion, " It matters not what others may do, but I mean No hesitation chills the zeal of these two now for the cause whose sun has set. For the lukewarm spirit they shewed when their to hold out to the end." When that man stumbles he falls over his own feet, his chief prop is gone ; he has put confidence in him- self, and there is danger that he will con- enthusiasm might have given success, they

THE RECORD.

now exhibit a tender ardor of devotion when apparent failure marks the end of the Naz- arene's career. So it is to-day. It is not Christ the teacher; it is not Christ the intracle-worker ; it is not Christ the model example; but Christ the suffering Son of God, dying upon the cross, that at last breaks down the opposition of the selfish human heart to his love, and draws those most absorbed in worldliness away from the world, to honor the precious name of him who loved them and gave himself to death for them.

What is the duty of Christian churches in answer to the question, what shall be done to stop the growth of intemperance ? That this awful vice is growing, statistics unquestionably and fearfully prove. The teachings of the church of Christ are un- doubtedly opposed to the habit which has destroyed so many lives and wrecked so many souls. The solving of the problem troubles thoughtful minds and oppresses the true lover of his kind.

But what shall be done? It is well to think and plan, but action is required. The pulpit utterances are fearless, but what shall be said about the action of individual Christians? The pastor may teach and preach but his hearers must act.

The State provides Alms Houses to re- ceive the pauper, the Jail, Court House and State Prison, to hold secure, try and pun- ish the criminal. The very great majority of crimes are committed under the influence of rum. But our municipal authorities li- cense saloon and grog shop. Where is the responsibility for crime ! With the poor soul, tempted at every corner by the licens- ed dram-shop; with the good citizen, who claims to be governed by the divine pre- cepts of Christian morality, and who refuses or neglects to use his influence to elect the right kind of men to office ; or with the au- thorities who license ?

Christian ! as you see the poor wretch, staggering away from the saloon, licensed by the men you selected for office, and fol- low him to his miserable home; as you hear of his arraignment for foul murder committed under the blinding, soul-de- stroying, conscience-blasting influence of rum, answer this question. Am I in no way responsible for all this ?

ON TAKING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS GREENS.

Take down the fading wreaths, Untwine the garlands gay,

Though the glad time we hung them up. Seems but as yesterday. And from their crumbling leaves We still can almost hear

The echoes of the Carols sweet, And greetings of New Year.

But ah ! too well we know The festive season's o'er ; For treading in life's dusty paths We find ourselves once more. Swifter than the wheels of steam The golden hours have rolled ; And while we deemed the year was young We wake to find it old.

Now clear above the din Of earthly toil and care, We hear once more in solenin tone The Lenten call to prayer, Bidding us turn from pleasure's sound, A higher joy to find In fellow ship with Him whose death Gave life to all mankind.

Thus do the years go on, And times and seasons glide : Till soon the story of our life Is closed and laid aside. Yes, since the New Year's dawn How many a soul has gone From scenes of earth to realms unseen, Whose record here is done.

Ah ! life's a mystic page ! In vain we try to scan The hidden thought between the lines, God's purposes to man. Like children in the dark 'Tis ours to meekly stand And wait in hope the eternal morn, Clasping a father's hand. Morristown, N. J. E. F. R. C.

The Clyde Methodist Advocate is welcome. It is devoted to Temperance, the Home and the Church. It is outspoken in its utter- ances about intemperance, and gives no uncertain sound in its denunciations of that terrible evil. It is published at Clyde, N. Y ., and is a neatly printed, well edited paper.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 35

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print Number of Pages: 942

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942